Former State Legislator Sam Aanestad has passed away at the age of 71. The oral surgeon from Grass Valley was a State Assemblyman before serving as a State Senator from 2002 to 2010. His district included Shasta County prior to redistricting. The Conservative Republican also threw his hat into the ring for U.S. Congress following the retirement of Wally Herger, but he lost to Doug LaMalfa. Aanestad apparently passed away Sunday following a lengthy illness.